For argument sake, if we don’t factor in character concerns, newly acquired Miami Dolphins receiver Brandon Marshall is without a doubt one of the NFL’s top three receivers.

The only receivers we can say goes ahead of him on the hierarchy of NFL wide receivers are Arizona’s Larry Fitzgerald and Houston’s Andre Johnson, two receivers who possess the size and speed mold the Dolphins work off.

But when you add the character concerns, the arrest history, struggles with maturity…. it would be irresponsible NOT TO ASK if Marshall’s worth the two second-round picks the Dolphins gave Denver to get him, and the lofty $10 million per year salary they’ll be paying him?

Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland has consistently warned about the dangers of giving up draft picks AND big money for a single player. But it didn’t stop the Dolphins from doing it for Marshall.

Dolphins czar Bill Parcells is adamant that character will be the No.1 factor when it comes to building this franchise. But the Trifecta adds a player with a lengthy arrest record, which warns that Marshall might have anger management issues.

Are all his problems in the past, or could they flare up again?

Dolphins coach Tony Sparano consistently talked about staying away from divas, weary that they’ll poison his locker room. But the Dolphins add Marshall, who was batting away balls in practice during 2009’s training camp to protest his unhappiness, and quit on his team at the end of last season.

All Dolphins fans can hope is that $10 million dollars per season will solve ALL of Marshall’s problems. At least that’s what the Trifecta must be hoping.

Why was this deal done? Because talent trumps all… Because Denver dropped their asking price slightly (two second-round picks is still steep)…. Because the Dolphins feel Marshall has matured…. Because the Dolphins weren’t confident they could get the “chunk yards” producing receiver this offense needed in the draft….Because starting quarterback Chad Henne needs a premiere receiver to assist his development…. Because Marshall is the type of receiver who opened up the field for the rest of the offensive players….. Because Miami needed to keep up with the Jones, or better yet the all-in Jets.

Whatever the reasoning Brandon Marshall is a Dolphin, let’s all hope this is good fit because it certainly was an expensive one.

This move was a no brainer. You get a guy who will change the make up of this offense entirely, making Heene better, the other WR’s better and the running game better.

And for what?

Giving up one 2nd rd pick next year. Don’t count this year’s 2nd rd pick, that guy is just a swap for Marshall.

Big money? Big deal! Every top 5 player at his position demands that type of money.

And risk, re character? Who wouldn’t prefer a guy with the character of a Fitzgerald or Andre Johnson?

But any fool would say the risk is worth the reward, transforming the worst passing attack in the NFL into one of the best in one fell swoop?

And don’t think the Trifecta have not talked to lot’s of folks about Marshall, including Nolan who was in the locker room with the guy last year. Has Marshall ever been a locker room cancer like T.O.? Has he ever not given maximum effort on the field? When was the last time he was arrested? 2007?

Finally, if I were Marshall I probably would have batted balls down in training camp too if I were grossly underpaid and management was not even talking to my agent re a new contract. And how long did that behaviour last, one morning.

As for Josh McDaniels, what a punk! He drives Cutler out of town, then Mike Nolan and now Marshall. A 34 year old punk know it all. I would not give any credence to the fact that Marshall could not get along with McDaniels, or McDaniel’s claim that Marshall could have / should have played in that last game. What do other Bronco’s players have to say about that, or the trainers?

That said, Marshall is a risk off the field. But a risk worth taking given the reward of COMPLETELY transfroming the Fins offense. And the entire team.

At least the guy will be married soon. Hopefully that will be a stabalizing influence. As opposed to a rich, young guy with South Beach at his door step.

OMAR KELLY was unsuccessful at achieving his childhood dream to become a super hero, so he figured he'd do the next best thing and become a journalist who fights against injustice, and searches for truth. After being bored to death reporting news and covering politics, he switched to sports.
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IZZY GOULD joined the Sun Sentinel in Feb. 2012 as a Senior Sports Reporter on the Miami Dolphins beat. He came to South Florida fresh off covering the University of Alabama football program, including its 2011 national championship team. More